“Health Starts Within”–Reimagining Inclusive Excellence and Well-being

The Medical College of Wisconsin upholds the institutional strategic goal known as “Health Starts Within”–Reimagining Inclusive Excellence and Well-being, which aims to advance a climate and culture of equity and inclusion. Initiatives supporting this goal include listening circles and inclusion learning programs conducted by the college’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Committee and 35 Coalition Builders. Another step in the journey toward inclusive excellence is the institution-wide campaign known as #IWILL, in which participants pledge to take specific actions to advance gender equity.

The Community of Inclusion Certificate Program

The Community of Inclusion Certificate Program was developed by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Diversity Committee as a way for campus community members to demonstrate their commitment to fostering DEI within the college, the veterinary profession, and the communities they serve. The certificate program offers three levels of accomplishment, with participants able to earn one level per academic year. These include Partner Level, which is focused on learning about inclusion; Ambassador Level, which represents the community of inclusion and expands the dialogue; and Champion Level, which actively promotes DEI and helps to facilitate the process.

Well-being Committee

The Well-being Committee at Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy spearheads campus wellness and inclusivity efforts. Committee members work to increase the visibility of resources that promote and cultivate a college-wide climate of wellness. The committee is also currently tasked with assessing the feasibility of offering well-being instruction in a stand-alone elective course or embedded longitudinally into targeted courses in a progressive manner. In addition, it provides DEI training and conducts a campus survey to assess perceptions of cultural sensitivity, diversity and inclusivity, and well-being culture at the college and addresses any issues that are identified by survey takers.

Diversity Chairs

Diversity Chairs are chosen through a selection process from each Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry class for the purpose of creating and promoting efforts to enhance DEI across the University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD). These chairs cultivate college-wide awareness of and education for diversity and social issues. They function as a catalyst for new DEI initiatives developed in collaboration with UFCD student organizations, faculty, committees, and workgroups. Efforts include forums, workshops, and “lunch and learn” events. Diversity Chairs strive to celebrate wide-ranging cultural and social groups through various forms of recognition, such as monthly themes and topics.

Inclusivity, Diversity & Equity Committee

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing’s Inclusivity, Diversity & Equity Committee (IDE) is open to all students, faculty, and staff so that each person who wishes to become more deeply engaged in diversity work on campus has the opportunity to do so. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, interest in the committee has grown exponentially. This year, the group invited special guests to speak on topics such as historical racism in nursing, student responses to equity and diversity surveys, and more. The committee also has highly functioning workgroups that focus on numerous aspects of IDE.●

This article was published in our December 2021 issue.